Madison - One of the talking points in the days leading to Wisconsin's Big Ten game at Michigan State was penalties.

The Spartans entered the game averaging 7.7 penalties and 59.8 penalty yards per game. They had been penalized 13 times for 124 yards in their previous game.

UW entered the game averaging 5.5 penalties and 52 penalty yards per game. The Badgers had been penalized five times for 51 yards in their previous game.

Yet, UW was the team that lost the penalty battle against the Spartans.

UW was penalized six times for 40 yards. Michigan State wasn't assessed a single penalty.

The UW players were not happy with their execution.

"Coming in watching film on Sunday, it was the little things that killed us," UW sophomore left guard Travis Frederick said. "The penalties are something we need to work on, especially going to a big venue like Ohio State. . . . It's going to be loud."

UW's had three false-start penalties against Michigan State - one each by left tackle Ricky Wagner, right guard Kevin Zeitler and wide receiver Nick Toon.

Wagner also was called for holding, fullback Bradie Ewing was called for a late hit on kickoff coverage and quarterback Russell Wilson was called for intentional grounding in the end zone, which resulted in a safety.

Only Wilson's penalty cost UW points. However, the mistakes were symptoms UW didn't play a clean game and the hidden yards add up, particularly in a close game in which the battle for field position can be critical.

"That is frustrating knowing that the things we pride ourselves on and try to take care of came back to bite us in the butt," Ewing said. "But that puts the fire underneath you, too, and makes you want to improve.

"There are things we have to clean up."

UW enters its game Saturday at Ohio State seventh in the Big Ten in penalty yards per game at 50.3. Ohio State is eighth at 50.4 yards per game. Through seven games last season, UW had 23 penalties for 220 yards. The numbers this season are 39 for 352, a jump of 16 penalties and 132 yards.

"Penalties play a big role in any game, especially a close game," wide receiver Jared Abbrederis said. "Those yards add up over time.

"Penalties are huge. That is why the coaches focus on trying to stay mistake-free."

Abbrederis' most notable miscue was a drop on what could have been a 77-yard touchdown pass from Wilson in the fourth quarter with UW trailing, 31-17.

"Russell made a good throw," Abbrederis said. "I lost it in the lights, but I've still got to make the play."

On solid footing

Toon, who was held out of the Indiana game because of discomfort in his left foot, was limited to two receptions for 58 yards against Michigan State.

He had a 16-yard gain on UW's eighth offensive play and a 42-yard gain on the 60th offensive play.

Toon said his foot was not an issue. "I didn't think I was favoring it at all," he said. "It didn't look like it at on film, and I didn't feel it during the game."

Toon had six receptions for 72 yards against Ohio State last season. He left the game midway through the fourth quarter after suffering a severe thigh bruise while colliding with a defender.

"You always look forward to playing a school the caliber of Ohio State," he said. "They're not the same team this year. No team is the same every year. They've still got a lot of great athletes. They've got a good team.

"It is tough to play on the road. It is going to be fun."

Extra points

Defensive tackle Patrick Butrym, who was in for about 40 plays against Michigan State despite being slowed by a sprained left ankle, has practiced all week. He is set to play Saturday at Ohio State.

Free safety Aaron Henry is among 20 quarterfinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. The award is given to the defensive player who displays "integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity." Wisconsin's J.J. Watt won the award last season.

Wilson is one of 16 semifinalists for the Davey O'Brien Award, given annually to the top quarterback in the nation.